1. MEMBERSHIP: “It’s More than Just Asking”

2. Membership is a PROCESS
Create AWARENESS of Serra among Lay Catholics
The GENERAL INVITATION to Catholic Community
The INDIVIDUAL INVITATION
The APPLICATION form
New Member ORIENTATION
RETENTION:
ENGAGEMENT in Serra Vocations Work
MENTORING & WELCOMING
Advance COMMUNICATIONS of events & programs
QUALITY Monthly PROGRAMS
Engagement in LEADERSHIP Positions

3. 1. Create AWARENESS of Serra among Lay Catholics
Serra-sponsored Vocations Programs in Parishes
Parish-wide 31 Club Rosaries for Vocations
Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations
“Adopt a Seminarian” prayer boards & cards
“Call by Name” programs in parishes
Planned Publicity:
Articles & pictures in Catholic Newspaper (2 x year)
Presence on Catholic Radio (qrtrly
Bulletin announcements (Monthly or qrtrly)
Parish ministry fairs
Serra Prayer for Vocations Cards in parishes
Printed tri-fold brochures in back of all churches

4. 2. The GENERAL INVITATION to Catholic Community
Tri-fold brochures about Serra with contact information
Bulletin announcements w/ contact info
Business cards w/ contact info
Articles in Catholic Newspapers
Catholic Radio
Serra Prayer cards w/ contact info

5. 3. The INDIVIDUAL Invitation
To Whom:
Catholics with a special place in their hearts for Vocations
Year Olds / “empty nesters”
Daily Mass & Adoration Participants
Parents & Relatives of Priests and seminarians
Adults in charge of Altar Server Programs
Parish Vocation Committee members
Your Catholic friends
Those recently widowed
Parishes without Serrans (recommendations from parish priest)

6. 3.The INDIVIDUAL Invitation
Invite with a Strategy
Triple team each prospect
“Plan” the invitation to join
Each member of Invitation Team contacts prospect twice
“Seven Touches” required to reach a person

7. 3.The INDIVIDUAL Invitation
The Conversation
Be Excited, Joyful when talking about Serra
Share “Mountain Top” Experiences
Share impact on your own spirituality
Show impact on Seminarians (notes, thank you’s)
Talk about support of priests, sisters, bishop
Cost: $10 per month
Not about what you get out of it, but what you give
Its God’s work
Its about the future of our Church

8. 3.The INDIVIDUAL Invitation
Be Prepared for Objections
“I can pray for vocations without being in Serra”
-- Serra is more than just prayer--service to Vocations office & group affirmation and support of priests, religious and seminarians
-- Serra group prayers offer more quality, quantity, continuity & effectiveness for vocations
“Dues seem too high”
-- $10/month
“Not sure with the Priest Abuse Scandal and all”
-- Never been more important to affirm and support the many good priests and religious unfairly tarred by the scandal.

9. 4. The Application Form Form is confusing to prospects
Do NOT hand out in blank to prospects
Pre-fill: Club Name, Number and District No.
(copy for general use by club members)
Pre-fill: sponsor’s name with signature
Identify required fields for prospect to fill in with checkmark or hi-liting
Include self-addressed, stamped envelope to Treasurer & followup to make sure it is received.

10. 5. New Member Orientation
Options:
Special meeting w/ club officers to have each explain area of responsibility and opportunities to participate
New Member Orientation recorded webinar
36 minutes with breaks for discussion
Should be viewed by new members in presence of at least one club officer
Link: anytime-anyplace/
NMO webinar as monthly program to refresh all members

11. 6. Retention Engage new members immediately in club vocations work
Weekly or monthly club rosaries
Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations
Have them adopt a seminarian
Help with Newman Connection data collection effort
Mentoring & Welcoming
Escort to first six meetings
Have all members—new and old—introduce themselves at every meeting
Encourage veterans to say hello at meetings

12. 6. Retention (Con’t) 3. Advance Communications of programs & events
Regular timely newsletters
reminders
4. Quality Monthly Programs
Scheduled out well in advance
Specific, focused topics for speakers to address
Vocations focus
Engagement in Leadership positions
Initially encouraging them to be part of a team or committee
Avoid throwing into officer position with no club experience
Encourage attendance at regional, national and international conventions/conference calls

13. Growing Membership is about Sharing the Joy of Serra
Growing Membership is about Sharing the Joy of Serra! Be a JOYFUL Serran!